“It’s fiiiine.” Lorraine groaned as she made for the door.
“No, you need a break. Spend the day with someone, try to relax a little.” John countered, stepping in front of the door..
“Quite.” Alastor nodded at the smol bug. “We can do whatever you need to do today, then we can meet later.”
“Dude, you’re supposed to be taking it easy anyway.” Gilda raised a brow.
“I’m fine. I’ve been through worse.” Lorraine countered the three.
“Lorraine, darling, you exploded.” Alastor and John said in unison and in the same voice.
“Huh, stereo.” Gilda commented.
Alastor looked down at the bug. “Stop that.”
John just gave him a shit-eating grin in return.
Lorraine broke into a half-snorting giggle fit.
John looked over at her. “You good?”
“Yeah, you two just broke me for a sec.” Lorraine nodded, calming a bit, but still having the occasional giggle.
“No shit.” Gilda chuckled. “Now shoo, we can do your stuff. You have a list, right?”
“Okay, okay, I’ll go write one.” Lorraine said, plodding back into the living room and wrote down a few things on a pad. She then tore off the small sheet and handed it to the griffon.
“Thank you, now you go enjoy your day.” Gilda gestured at the door, which was opened by Alastor’s red magic.
As she plodded to the door, John nuzzled her leg. “Have a good time.”
Lorraine nuzzled him back. “Thanks, I’ll probably just spend the day with Fluttershy.”
She got a set of smiles as she left.
Then the door closed.
“Okay.” Gilda looked at the list. “I’m gonna do a couple of these while you two talk.”
“Talk?” John blinked.
“About?” Alastor arched a brow.
“Lorraine.” Gilda arched a brow in return. “This whole not-herd, herd, sexual-tension thing.” She gestured a talon at the pair. “Talk, I…” She looked at the list. “I have a farm to help at, I’ll check in with you after that. Then, the three of us can check out what’s needed at the schoolhouse, check what Rarity needs (probably more posing from John), and lastly more research.”
“Well, after our talk, we could split up.” Alastor offered. “I could take notes at the library, John could visit Rarity, and you can go to the schoolhouse.”
“That works too, just worried about you two getting mauled by mares.” Gilda nodded.
“That won’t be a problem, for me.” Alastor said, suddenly appearing behind Gilda and taking a look at the list. Gilda rolled her eyes.
“And I’m a buggo so the worst I’d get is probably mare’s giving me the stink eye.” John shrugged.
“Eh… I suppose you’re right.” Gilda said, folding the paper and sticking it into her saddlebag. “Wait a sec… Should we have allowed Lorraine to walk by herself?”
“What are friends for? I wouldn’t let any mares jump ya, even if Fluttershy’s not too far away.” Rainbow Dash said, casually hovering about the pink noodle.
“Thanks. I still don’t get why they’re so damn persistent.” Lorraine said.
“Well, while you all were up in Canterlot, Spoiled decided to be more of a bitch and started spreading some rumors.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what her deal is. You’re cool now. And you’re doin’ some good stuff, or so Twilight says.”
“Oh, so now I’m cool.” Lorraine chuckled.
“You got me to pull my head out of my flank, that’s pretty cool.” Dash replied. “And Gilda and I are trying to patch things up- Well… I’m trying to patch things up.”
“You’re making an effort, that counts for something.” Lorraine nodded.
“So…” John said sitting across from the buck.
“So.” Alastor said, looking at him.
“Ugh. I’m just gonna be blunt.” John rubbed a hoof over his eyes. “I am not comfortable with you courting Lorraine. Some flirting is okay, I really don’t think you can turn that off. But, at the moment, she’s mine. That may sound possessive, but I feel possessive of her. Don’t know if that’s me or a Changeling thing. Now my feelings might change in time, but for now… Lorraine’s mine.” As he lowered his hoof his eyes were glowing a bit.
“I understand entirely John.” Alastor nodded. “I have no intention of coming between you two. And I assure you, my intentions aren’t as crass as what you or Gilda seem to believe.”
“You might be a dick, but you’re a gentlemanly dick.” John chuckled.
“Why sir,” Alastor gasped and put a hoof to his chest. “I take offense. I am anything but a Richard.”
John snorted. “Whatever you say, Rich.”
“So, tell me John, what is your girlfriend’s thoughts on all this?” Alastor asked.
“Conflicted.” John replied bluntly. “You know the whole, fictional characters aren’t fictional anymore and I had a crush on all of them, thing?”
“Ah, yes.” Alastor nodded. “I do have to wonder, am I really so similar to my fictional counterpart?”
“To be honest, and as far as I can tell, you’re pretty damn close. Note, that all we got was a single episode that only had so much time devoted to your character. You’re actually somehow…” John hummed. “How do I put it. Alastor simply wanted to help the Happy Hotel just to see those seeking help fail. Like he was just looking for ways to cure his boredom for the time being.” He paused. “You… You just seem like the kind of guy who hides all his baggage behind humor and a smile.”
“Well that’s the funny thing with being turned back into a mortal, you regain things you thought you lost eons ago. I’m afraid to say, being kicked out of Tartarus threw me for quite the loop.” Alastor said with a chuckle.
“Of course deer boy, you can go to the mortal plane, that shouldn’t be any issue at all! Now just sign here and don’t worry about the fine print.” John hammed up his narrator voice.
“Mmmm, to be more accurate, I tried to summon her, the spell got reversed and I got sent here.” The buck said with a hum. “I, of course, can maintain my composure no matter the event.”
“Eeeeehhhh….” John wobbled a hoof. “I can kinda see that. You did seem shaken up by Lorraine being attacked by the blightwolf.”
“Says the bug who turned into a giant lizard.” Alastor raised a brow.
“Touche.” John winced.
“So back to the matter at hoof,” Alastor continued, “Why isn’t dear Lorraine telling me all of this herself?”
“Cause she, quite literally, left the final decision up to me.” John replied. “She doesn’t give two shits what the end result is, so long as we’re happy. And right now, I am very possessive of my noodle.”
"John, by the terms of my exile and the agreement we made after I arrived, I will honor whatever decision we reach today," Alastor stated, eerily calm. "But that won't matter to the denizens of Tartarus. Lorraine is the only individual I've, rather foolishly, showed interest in beyond simple amusement." There was an almost sad look in the buck's eyes. "I merely wish to have her be a part of my life, be that up here or even by my side in Tartarus but I am no fool. The very fates conspire to torment us until the two of you have your little herd, quite distasteful really." Alastor 's grin was almost resigned. "And unfortunately, that makes you and her targets for some of the most heartless monsters the world has ever seen."
“Hey, we’re not alone, and neither are you. Anything that comes after us will find us together… In a manner of speaking, I mean, Gilda’s at the farm. Lorraine’s with Fluttershy- Bah! You know what I mean.” John said with a huff.
Alastor blinked and regained his composure. "Very true, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve," he grinned. "If you want me to cease my attempts for Lorraine's companionship, I can. I wasn't aware she was so conflicted! I wouldn't stop her from spending time with you, or anyone she cares about for that matter. The poor dear needs people."
“Of course she does, why else were we shoving her out to socialize while we do her work?” John chuckled and shook his head. “I have a thought. I think that she still thinks that she can’t just go out and do things. She’s free! She can go do whatever!” He waved his hooves in the air.
“Maybe that’s why she’s so conflicted?” The buck asked.
John blinked. “Huh. Yeah. I can see it.”
“Mixed signals, as it were.” Alastor nodded. “She is more concerned about your opinion as opposed to her own.”
“But... “ John squinted at the buck as his face scrunched up. “She’s allowed to have her own opinion, and have feelings for that matter.”
“And yet, here we are, making a decision for her because she is unable to do it herself.” Alastor raised a brow.
“Well you could also take it as a guy asking another guy to back off his girl.” John snorted a laugh.
“Mmm, you do have a point there, I suppose.” Alastor admitted. “If it will make things easier for the both of you, then I suppose I will admit defeat.”
“Must you be so…. Theatrical?” John asked flatly.
“Me?” Alastor put a hoof to his chest. “Always, James.”
“Fuckin’ dammit.” John snorted and face-hoofed.
Lorraine looked around Fluttershy's backyard in childlike wonder. Woodland animals of every shape and size were out enjoying the sunny autumn day or foraging for food.
Rainbow snickered from somewhere above her.
"I've never seen most of these animals in person before," the noodle dragon said as she cautiously looked around. "and- oh my god that's a bear..."
Fluttershy giggled and trotted over to Lorraine. "I get all sorts of cute creatures coming to see me. I'm a registered vet and the only one pony in Ponyville that's qualified to look after wild animals," Fluttershy explained as a raccoon chittered happily at her as it walked by. Fluttershy smiled. "Despite what most ponies think, animals are very intelligent, as long as you're kind and patient with them you'll find they can be a wonderful new friend."
"How intelligent? Can they understand us?" Lorraine asked.
"Of course they can, it may take them a bit if they're not used to being around ponies but every animal I work with learns to understand and respect me over time," Fluttershy replied. "And once they trust ponies, I can help them find their Forever Home!"
"Fluttershy's great with animals, most ponies even come to her to get pets and stuff." Rainbow added.
"Oh Rainbow, you know I just love helping them all. I'm happy when they're happy," the yellow pegasus said with a smile. She looked over at the luck dragon excitedly. "I could introduce you to all my animal friends! Maybe you'll meet one you could take home with you!"
"What, like a pet?" Lorraine asked. "I'm not allowed."
Fluttershy's excitement gave way to concern. "Oh? Why not?"
Lorraine paused, her almost automatic response dead on her tongue as she thought about it. "Huh..."
"Is John like, allergic or something?" Rainbow asked.
"No, he had a cat back when he was human," Lorraine explained. "I couldn't have a pet back then, we couldn't afford to care for one, we didn't have the room and a few other reasons too."
"Uh, Lorraine? Those aren't a problem anymore," Rainbow pointed out "You have enough bits, your house has new rooms just appear out of thin air and as long as Fluttershy can verify you have a safe environment for the animal and can look after it, then there's nothing stopping you from getting a pet if you want one."
Lorraine looked hopeful but slightly confused. "I don't know what kind of pet I'd want though, plus it's better to look up the dietary needs and overall maintenance and stuff right?"
"I can help you with that!" Fluttershy replied eagerly, full of energy. "There's cats, dogs and plenty of cute little forest animals all ready for their Forever Home."
"Thanks?" Lorraine said awkwardly. "I'd prefer to ask John for permission first, it's a pretty important decision after all."
Rainbow waved a hoof dismissively. "I'll ask him for you. Be back in a flash!" and with that the blue pegasus was gone leaving a rainbow contrail in her wake.
Lorraine blinked. "Wasn't expecting that." she looked around the backyard and then over at Fluttershy. "So, wanna just show me around?"
"Rarity." John called out as he pushed the door open to the boutique.
"Upstairs darling~" Rarity singsonged from beyond the curtain that led to the upper floor.
Shrugging, the smol bug closed the door behind him and trotted in the main floor, past the curtain, up the stairs, and on the upstairs landing. He heard the humming the moment he hit the upstairs landing. He found the mare looking over something in her idea room.
"Hey Rarity, what'cha doin'?" John trotted up to the mare.
"Oh, just looking over what costumes to do next." The mare gave the bug a glance and a smile. She paused. "Isn't Lorraine supposed to be coming by?"
"She got voluntold to take a day off, since she's supposed to be taking it easy. So she's at Fluttershy's." John said with a smile.
"Oh, so you're taking over for her." Rarity smiled at him.
"Yep!" John chirped.
"Well I have something for Lorraine and something for you. Stay right here." The mare said happily, bouncing a little in excitement before quickly trotting out of the room.
As he waiting, John noted a a few ponyquins had costumes on them, specifically, costumes he'd worn for that photo shoot that he'd done with Rarity. Of course, they were sized up for a "normal-sized" pony.
With a happy hum, Rarity returned levitating a rather hefty sack of bits as well as a magazine. The bag was unceremoniously deposited in John's saddle bag. However he paused while Rarity grinned at him. Her blue aura levitated the magazine into his face.
"Bwaah!" He yelped as the magazine was shoved into his muzzle.
"You made the front cover!" Rarity squealed in excitement.
John blinked at the copy of Xenophilia's Fashionista. In a big box was an image of him in the kung-fu garb. Text above it read. Tiny changeling proves you don't have to have fur to look good!
"Huh." John blinked.
"Take it." Rarity said, shifting the magazine to stuff it into his saddle bag with the bits. "I have an extra copy, or two... or three..." Rarity coughed into a hoof. "I had to, the Newsstand was going to sell out if I didn't buy the extras for you and the shop, and myself."
"It's cool." John shrugged. "Not like me being on the front cover of a magazine is going to blow up or anything." He shrugged. "Thanks again, Rares." He nodded at her.
"Try not to get mobbed on your way home." Rarity tittered.
"Ha ha." John rolled his eyes as he shook his head.
As Gilda approached the school, she was met by Lyra as the green unicorn was waiting just outside.
"Hi G!" Lyra greeted the griffon. "Lorraine couldn't make it today?"
"Nah, she's on doctors and boyfriend orders to not work today." the griffon replied.
"Yeah, Rarity filled me in the other day, she's having it rough huh?" Lyra replied. "So! You here to fill in for her?"
"Pretty much," Gilda replied with a shrug of her wings. "What did you need me to do?"
"Eh, not much. Lorraine was going to help Cheerilee supervise the older students while they practice for the performance showcase at the end of the school year after the Running of the Leaves and collect the money from the donation box Time Turner set up outside the faculty office." Lyra replied.
"I can fill in for her, when's practice start?" Gilda asked.
"After lunch, hey! Wanna sit in on my next art class?" Lyra asked. "The kids are all working on their projects for the final exam so having an extra pair of appendages for the more technical stuff would be great!"
"Sure." Gilda said casually.
Lyra led the griffon to a classroom just the bell rang. Students piled into the classroom, a few looking curiously at Gilda while others ignored her as they took their seats. Gilda got friendly smiles and waves from the three Peacewalker fillies as they rushed past her.
When everyone was seated, Lyra walked over to a large metal cabinet at the back of the room and unlocked it with a key she retrieved from her mane. "You've all got projects to finish, you know the drill." the mare stepped away as the colts and fillies made their way to the cabinet and pulled out everything from half finished clay figures to paintings and rolls of cardboard.
Lyra sat back at the teachers desk while Gilda took a seat nearby. The unicorn looked around the room with a critical eye as she spoke up again. "Remember, ask me if you need to use more advanced supplies or want to use the woodworking equipment. Gilda is here to help if you need something from outside the school."
John normally wasn't paranoid.
...
John normally wasn't that paranoid.
But ever since he got shown that magazine he'd started noticing mares and stallions looking at him. And not in the usual looks of irritation or disgust either. They were actually looks of surprise, and is some cases, interest. Like, the same kind of interest that mares have in Alastor, interest. Well... That might've been his brain going down the anxiety hole, but any interest from the mares in this town worried him.
He made a point to trot faster. "Should've been learning how to use my wings." He grumbled to himself.
"Hey John!"
"Oh thank God." John sighed. As, with a gust of wind, Rainbow Dash landed in front of him.
"Hey! Glad I found you." Rainbow grinned.
"Kay." John nodded. "For what now?"
"Right." Rainbow chuckled. "Can Lorraine have a pet?"
John blinked. "Yeah. Sure. I mean, why not?" He smiled. "I wonder if it'll be a cat." His ears suddenly flattened as his face fell. "And I now miss my cat."
"Awww, uhh, it's okay." Rainbow awkwardly patted the bug's back.
"Hey! Who's being a droopy bug?" Pinkie Pie asked.
John blinked and looked to see Pinkie standing next to him. He blinked at her, then sighed. "Just missing my cat. Rainbow wanna take me to see some pets?"
"Sure thing!" Rainbow flared her wings.
"Wait!" Pinkie called out, thrusting out a hoof dramatically.
The other two stopped.
"Yeah?" John asked.
"It's a great day out! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and we shouldn't waist a day like this!" Pinkie said with a happy grin. "We should have a picnic! Ooooooh! Maybe by the pond!"
John blinked, looked at Rainbow (who shrugged), looked up at the mostly overcast sky, then noted the small breeze and distinct lack of bird song. The smol bug shrugged. "You know sure, maybe a lunch thing would be fun."
"Yay!" Pinkie beamed. "I'll go let the others know!"
John looked at Rainbow.
The mare just shook her head as the bug climbed up onto her back.
"You know it was technically my job." Alastor blinked at the table full of open books and scrawled notes.
"It's fine." Twilight said behind a pile of books.
"She gets that way." Spike commented as he waddled off to re-shelf some books.
Alastor simply shrugged and sipped at his tea. If Twilight and Spike wanted to do the research for Lorraine, he wouldn't stop them.
Rainbow came in for a landing, and allowed the smol bug to slide off to the grass. John blinked. Lorraine was sitting in the middle of the backyard, sitting quite peacefully. She was surrounded by various animals. She had a red fox and a fennec fox in her lap, and a husky was curled up in front of her. A kitten had made a nest out of Lorraine’s mane and was snoozing on top of her head. Occasionally Fluttershy would hover up to her and hold out some cute animal with her fore-hooves.
John and Rainbow trotted toward the pair.
“-and they’re just so soft. And you rarely need to feed them. They can just spend all day hanging in their habitat.” Fluttershy seemed to be rattling on about a three-toed sloth.
“Hey. You look comfy.” John said with a nod as he sat next to the husky and started to pet it, eventually getting a few back leg kicks from the dog.
“Why do they like me? This is cool, but why do they like me?” Lorraine blinked.
“Your calming personality?” John shrugged as Rainbow had a stare-down with an owl.
“I think it’s more likely that they can tell that you’re someone that they can be comfortable around.” Fluttershy said as she hovered away to put the sloth back.
The kitten (A primarily black with white socks, ragdoll cat.) rolled off Lorraine’s head and toddled over to John. It walked over the husky, not that the husky cared, and mewed at John.
The smol bug gave a soundless gasp. Then he picked the kitten up in his fore-hooves. “Hello! Who are you? You are the cutest little floof, yus you are.” John babbled as he nestled the cat into his chest.
A bright white dog, specifically an albino shiba inu (It looked like a walking fluffy cloud.), trotted up to Lorraine. Oddly the dog was wearing a white tank top and what looked like headphones around his neck. It sat in front of her and gave a small bark.
“Oh!” Fluttershy said flying back over. “He’s been waiting for somebody. At least that’s what he said when he got here. Apparently he’s supposed to protect the pony he’s waiting for.”
Lorraine looked at the little shiba, who was sitting in front of her and panting happily. “Koromaru?”
There was a yip of affirmation from the white doggo.
“Ummm why did he call you Leader?” Fluttershy asked.
Lorraine blinked at the Shiba. “Wut.”
Koromaru barked.
“He says, We missed you. We all remember you.” Fluttershy kindly translated.
“But… That was a game.” Lorraine tilted her head to the side a bit.
Another bark.
“We were told that’s how it was for you.” Fluttershy translated.
“I’ve just given up on being surprised what shows up.” John commented, still hugging the purring kitten to his chest. “Though it does make me wonder, if there’s all this good from stuff we recognize, where’s all the bad?” The smol bug hummed. “Nope. Not thinking about it.” He nuzzled his face into the kitten.
“What do you mean bad stuff?” Lorraine asked, looking at him.
“Well say… for example some place was like Persona. Yay, tarot-based punch-ghosts and relationships and fun things!” John started. “That would come with the death, darkness, and depressing stuff, right? How long before we start seeing some of the darker things that just so happen to exist here?”
“Oh no..." Lorraine said, realization dawning on her face as she looked down at the shiba. "Koromaru, is everyone alright? Why are you here exactly?"
The dragon got a series of barks in return, which Fluttershy once again translated. "Everyone is fine. We learned our leader was guided by the spirit of her persona, and that spirit was now in danger." Fluttershy looked confused. "Um, what is he talking about?"
Lorraine looked worried "Persona 3 Portable was a video game I played back as a human," she explained. "From the sounds of it, my actions in the game must have translated as some kind of otherworldly force that affected the actions of the girl Koromaru is talking about, his leader."
Koromaru whined in sympathy.
"He says. You are kind, everyone wants to get to know the Unicorn that healed us in battle, the one that cared for us alongside our leader. We were surprised too, when we were asked to help you."
"So you were sent here?" Lorraine asked as she tried to piece things together.
Koromaru nodded, tail wagging as he barked.
Fluttershy giggled. "He said. I will protect you, I look forward to learning about you Leader." Fluttershy hummed in thought. "It sounds like you two already know each other."
“I have no comments beyond, yay hyper-intelligent doggo.” John said rather flatly.
The noodle dragon reached out and started petting the shiba’s head. “I’m not your leader, not really.”
Koromaru just nuzzled his head into her claw.